Private SHSAT Tutor in NYC & Online
One-on-one SHSAT preparation with Dr. Stuart Donnelly, Oxford Ph.D., for the new computer-adaptive SHSAT (from fall 2026). Fall 2026 test dates and 2026 cutoff scores below.
SHSAT Tutoring That Gets Results
The SHSAT is the gateway to New York City’s most prestigious specialized high schools — and competition is fierce. Each year many thousands of students compete for a limited number of seats at schools like Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech. A focused, expert-led preparation programme can make the difference between an acceptance letter and a near miss.
Dr. Stuart Donnelly holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford and has spent more than 20 years tutoring students for competitive admissions tests. His approach to SHSAT preparation is methodical: identify your child’s specific strengths and weaknesses through a diagnostic assessment, then build a personalised study plan that targets the exact skills and question types that will move the needle on test day.
Every session is private and one-on-one — no group classes, no generic worksheets. Whether your child needs to sharpen algebraic reasoning, build reading comprehension stamina, or learn pacing strategies for the 180-minute, computer-adaptive exam, Dr. Donnelly designs each lesson around your child’s unique needs.
Book a Free SHSAT ConsultationWhat Makes Our SHSAT Tutoring Different
There is no shortage of SHSAT prep programmes in New York City. Here is why families choose Tutors of Oxford.
Oxford-Educated Tutor
Dr. Donnelly earned his doctorate at the University of Oxford and brings two decades of test-prep expertise to every SHSAT session. Your child learns from one of NYC’s most qualified private tutors.
Truly 1-on-1 Instruction
Every session is private — just Dr. Donnelly and your child. No small groups, no rotating instructors. This means faster progress, immediate feedback, and a study plan built entirely around your child’s needs.
Data-Driven Progress
Regular timed practice tests and detailed score analysis track your child’s improvement week by week. Dr. Donnelly adjusts the study plan after every assessment so preparation stays targeted and efficient.
Strategy, Not Just Content
Content knowledge alone does not guarantee a top SHSAT score. Dr. Donnelly teaches proven test-taking strategies — pacing, process of elimination, and careful on-screen work — that help students work faster and more accurately on the computer-based test.
About the SHSAT
Understanding the structure and demands of the SHSAT is the first step toward a successful preparation strategy.
What Is the SHSAT?
The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is given each fall by New York City Public Schools. It is the sole admissions criterion for eight of the city’s nine specialized high schools:
- Stuyvesant High School
- Bronx High School of Science
- Brooklyn Technical High School
- High School for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at City College
- High School of American Studies at Lehman College
- Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
- Brooklyn Latin School
- Staten Island Technical High School
The ninth specialized school, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, admits by audition or portfolio, not the SHSAT. Current 8th graders (and some 9th graders) may take the test, and there is no fee.
The New Computer-Adaptive SHSAT (from Fall 2026)
| Section | Content | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| English Language Arts | Reading Comprehension; Revising/Editing | 50 |
| Mathematics | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Probability & Statistics, Word Problems | 50 |
| Total | Standard time: 180 minutes | 100 |
What changed in fall 2026: the SHSAT is now a computer-adaptive test taken on screen, with 50 ELA and 50 math questions (100 in total) in 180 minutes of standard time (English Language Learners and eligible former ELLs receive 360 minutes). There are no extended-response questions and no paper answer sheet. Source: NYC Public Schools, SHSAT.
SHSAT Test Dates 2026 (for September 2027 Entry)
Registration and testing dates for the fall 2026 SHSAT, as published by NYC Public Schools.
| Fall 2026 event | Date | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Registration (in MySchools) | Oct 6 – Oct 30, 2026 | All students who want to test |
| Weekend test | Sat Nov 14 or Sun Nov 15, 2026 | 8th graders not at an NYCPS middle school ending in 8th grade (private, charter, homeschool, etc.), at a central site |
| School-day test | Wed Nov 18, 2026 | 8th graders at NYCPS public middle schools that end in 8th grade, at their own school |
| 9th-grade test | Sat Nov 21, 2026 | Current 9th graders applying for 10th grade, at a central site |
SHSAT Cutoff Scores 2026
Lowest qualifying scores for 9th-grade admission in 2026, set by the fall 2025 test (the last paper administration).
| Specialized high school | 2026 cutoff (9th grade) |
|---|---|
| Stuyvesant High School | 561 |
| HS for Math, Science & Engineering at City College | 539 |
| Queens HS for the Sciences at York College | 531 |
| Bronx High School of Science | 525 |
| Staten Island Technical High School | 517 |
| HS of American Studies at Lehman College | 507 |
| Brooklyn Technical High School | 506 |
| Brooklyn Latin School | 495 |
Note: these 2026-admissions cutoffs come from the old paper test. Cutoffs for the first computer-adaptive SHSAT (fall 2026) are expected around March 2027 and may not be directly comparable. Cutoffs are not fixed targets — they depend on how students rank against the seats available each year.
Our SHSAT Tutoring Approach
Dr. Donnelly’s SHSAT programme covers both sections of the exam in depth, building the content knowledge and test-taking strategies your child needs to perform at their best.
ELA: Reading Comprehension & Revising/Editing
The ELA section tests a student’s ability to read complex passages and answer inference, main-idea, and detail questions under time pressure. Dr. Donnelly teaches active reading techniques — annotation, paragraph summarisation, and evidence identification — that help students move through passages efficiently without sacrificing accuracy.
Revising and editing questions require strong grammar and sentence-structure skills. Dr. Donnelly covers subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, punctuation rules, transitions, and paragraph organisation so students can spot errors quickly and confidently.
Math: Algebra, Geometry & Problem Solving
SHSAT Math covers a wide range of topics: algebraic expressions and equations, number properties, ratios and proportions, geometry (angles, area, volume, coordinate geometry), statistics, and multi-step word problems. Dr. Donnelly ensures your child has a solid foundation in each area before introducing more advanced problem types.
Because the SHSAT is now computer-adaptive, Dr. Donnelly prepares students for the on-screen format itself: working accurately with scratch paper, pacing across 100 questions in 180 minutes, and staying composed as question difficulty adjusts to their performance. Students who need extra math foundations can combine SHSAT prep with private math tutoring.
Every SHSAT tutoring programme begins with a full-length diagnostic test so Dr. Donnelly can pinpoint your child’s exact starting level and build a study plan that targets their weakest areas first. Applying to private schools as well? See our ISEE tutoring and SSAT tutoring pages.
What SHSAT Families Say
“Oliver got into his first choice! BRONX SCIENCE. SCORE 536. He would not have made it without you. Thank you!”
“I just want to thank you for helping Zoraiz prep for the SHSAT. She made it into Stuyvesant and her score was 572. Thank you once again.”
SHSAT Tutoring FAQs
The SHSAT (Specialized High Schools Admissions Test) is the sole admissions criterion for eight of New York City’s nine specialized high schools, including Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech. Current 8th graders (and some 9th graders) take it each fall. From fall 2026 it is a computer-adaptive test with two sections — English Language Arts and Mathematics — of 50 questions each, with 180 minutes of standard testing time.
For September 2027 entry, registration runs October 6–30, 2026 in MySchools. 8th graders at NYCPS public middle schools that end in 8th grade test at their own school on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. Other 8th graders (private, charter, homeschool and similar) test at a central site on Saturday, November 14 or Sunday, November 15, 2026. 9th graders test on Saturday, November 21, 2026.
For 2026 9th-grade admissions (fall 2025 test), the lowest qualifying scores were: Stuyvesant 561, HSMSE at City College 539, Queens HS for the Sciences 531, Bronx Science 525, Staten Island Tech 517, HS of American Studies at Lehman 507, Brooklyn Tech 506, and Brooklyn Latin 495. These came from the last paper test; cutoffs for the new computer-adaptive test are expected around March 2027.
The SHSAT moved from a paper test to a computer-adaptive test. It now has 100 questions (50 ELA and 50 math) in 180 minutes of standard time, with no paper answer sheet and no extended-response questions.
Most families begin SHSAT preparation during the spring or summer before their child’s 8th-grade year. Starting 4 to 6 months before the November test gives students enough time to build skills without feeling rushed. Students with weaker math or reading foundations may benefit from starting even earlier.
Yes. Dr. Donnelly offers SHSAT tutoring both in person in New York City and online via Zoom. Online sessions use screen sharing, a digital whiteboard, and shared problem sets, which also suits the new on-screen test format. Many families use a mix of both formats depending on their schedule.
The number of sessions depends on your child’s starting point and target school. A typical programme runs 15 to 30 sessions over 3 to 5 months. After an initial diagnostic assessment, Dr. Donnelly will recommend a study plan tailored to your child’s strengths, weaknesses, and target schools.